Argentina: An Introduction to Argentina - Part 2
From ExecutivePlanet.com
An Introduction to Argentina - Part 2
Language, government, and money
Essential Facts
Language: Spanish
Religion: Roman Catholic
Voltage: 220V
Population: Argentina's current population is more than 36 million inhabitants, almost half of whom live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants per square kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are descendants of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes were slowly reduced and at present they amount only to 4.5% of the population, the pure indigenous population - Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos – 0.5%.
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Socially speaking, there is a small, class-conscious elite, and a larger middle class than in most other Latin American countries.
Type of Government
Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals, and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist dictatorship was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and four free elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.
Country name
conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Republica Argentina local short form: Argentina Data code:AR
Law and Government
Government type: republic
Capital: Buenos Aires
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces [provincias, singular - provincia], and 1 federal district* [distrito federal]; Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut; Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito Federal*; Entre Rios; Formosa; Jujuy; La Pampa; La Rioja; Mendoza; Misiones; Neuquen; Rio Negro; Salta; San Juan; San Luis; Santa Cruz; Santa Fe; Santiago del Estero; Tierra del Fuego, Antartica e Islas del Atlantico Sur; Tucuman; note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Constitution: 1 May 1853; revised August 1994
Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age
Executive branch: President and Vice President
Legislative branch: the bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate [72 seats; formerly, three members appointed by each of the provincial legislatures; presently transitioning to one-third of the members being elected every two years to six-year terms] and the Chamber of Deputies [257 seats; one-half of the members elected every two years to four-year terms]
Judicial branch: Supreme Court [Corte Suprema], the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President with approval of the Senate
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Useful tips
Shop prices are expressed as 'efectivo' [cash]. All major credit cards are accepted in cities. Most ATMs allow you to withdraw pesos or dollars. Banelco and Link have an excellent network of machines that work for Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club. Tips are not included in bills or trips. A suitable tip is from 5% to 10% of the cost of the service.
More info is available here.
